[MD] What does Pirsig mean by metaphysics?

[skutvik at online.no]

Hi Andre 

Jan 20.:

Steve to Andre:
> It doesn't really, but it is a good idea to consider how the word
> metaphysics is used in ZAMM as well. Do you think that Pirsig means
> something different by the term "metaphysics" when he describes his
> philosophical system as "a metaphysics" from what is traditionally
> meant by the term?

I leave this issue in suspense, and hope that RMP will give us a hint. 

Andre:
> Yes I do think that Pirsig means something different when using his
> philosophical system 'a metaphysics'. Firstly of course the starting
> point of the MoQ is to take Value as primary and, crucially the
> pre-intellectual aspect of it, into account.( this as opposed to the
> majority of other philosophical systems) namely 'direct experience'.

Quality=Reality and the Dynamic/Static configuration are one and the 
same. Look, the SOM does NOT postulate any non-value reality which 
is subject/object-divided, thus Dynamic Quality at the top immediately 
creates its Static counterpoint. Both are Quality thus the 
Quality=Reality axiom is kept high and dry. This is the in-out-turn of the 
metaphysical sock , totally different" from the Aristotelian article which 
is "man's" subjective ponderings about an objective reality.  

> This experience is then divided and integrated into the four static
> levels of value within an overall evolutionary framework.
> What attracts me to the MoQ is that it is not prescriptive, it says
> nowhere what ought to be done or what ought to be the case. I think
> this is what set Phaedrus up against Kant (Master cutter as he was)
> because (within the Kantian philosophy and many others) he still felt
> within a prison (see ZMM).

Complete agreement, by making existence levels of Good there is 
nothing ultimate good (ethical) even the highest level is subordinated 
the DQ/SQ configuration. However a view that explains everything is 
very Good..   

> Pirsig does not want his metaphysics to be another prison. Hence the
> DQ/SQ divisions... and (if you like) the notion of the continuation of
> evolutionary progress (which is 'open-ended'). That is: it remains
> provisional.

Objections!. The Quality Universe is "bigger" than the S/O one 
because it has swallowed it, but it is closed. In retrospect the static 
evolution ended with the realization of it all being a Quality evolution - 
i.e. the MOQ - no level beyond the intellectual is possible and - most 
important - no "intellectual pattern" (in the faulty sense of the MOQ 
being an intellectual pattern) is possible without  the MOQ going pouf! 
Don't let your "flying" tendencies get the best of you :-)  


Bodvar